I'm going to be selling (or trying to anyway) some prints at an art/craft show in November. This will be my first time attempting to sell my work, and I'm trying to figure out all that comes along with selling at a show.
I'd like to put labels on the backing board of the matted prints and on the back of framed prints that have my info (name, website), photo info, etc.
For those of you that do this, do you use acid free labels? I figure that's the best thing to do, but on the other hand they won;t be in direct contact with the prints, so maybe it isn't necessary.
I'm thinking of something like 2x4 inch labels that come 10 to a sheet for inkjet printing, but not having a lot of luck finding acid free. Or at least anything that is specifically labeled as such. Anyone have examples of something they've used?
I look forward to some replies, but in my opinion a label on the back of a mounting board is absolutely fine. But it's a bit impersonal. I think some sort of card, printed on some nice matte paper, detailing the print, date, name, website, etc would be better. However of course if that gets lost, that would be bad. Perhaps you could neatly tape it with archival tape to the back of the mounting board. I've seen 75 year old prints with stuff taped on the back that stayed attached.
I have a question myself: where are you supposed to sign/number a matted print? I've seen people sign the mat in pencil right under the bevel, but as an artist I hate that because it's distracting in my opinion. I go to extremes to produce perfect mats and prints, so sullying them with scribbles is a bit counter to what I'm aiming for. On the other hand, I understand that people are proud of to display numbered/signed artwork, and don't want it hidden away on the back of the print.
I agree that something a little nice on nice paper might look better. Maybe I'll try something like that in the future at higher end shows if I keep doing this. But, since this is my first show and I have a lot to do to get ready for it, I think I'll stick with a stick on label for now.
I've read a lot of posts about signing prints, and it seems like pretty much anything goes. I plan to sign the mat in pencil, and also sign the print in the boarder, or on the back at the bottom. That way it's on the mat, and if the buyer decides to change the mat, the print is also signed, but that signature can be hidden behind the mat.
